In January 2011, Southern Sudanese voted in an historic referendum on the future of their nation. The outcome is likely to result in the creation of a new, independent state of South Sudan. The birth of a new country raises important questions about belonging: if the vote is for separation, what will happen to those who find themselves on the “wrong” side of the newly created international border? Will they be accepting into the bodies politic of these new states? Or will they face discrimination, harassment or even statelessness? This space is intended to provide information on this important debate by pulling together news articles, NGO and academic papers.
Reports
Legislation
News Articles
Press Releases
Blogs
Against the Gathering Storm Securing Sudan’s Comprehensive
Peace Agreement
(Chatham House, 2009)
Sudan: Preventing Violence and Statelessness as Referendum Approaches 
(Refugees International, June 2010)
More than a Line: Sudan's North - South Border
(Concordis International, September 2010)
Nationality and Citizenship Questions in Sudan after the Southern Sudan Referendum Vote
(Chr. Michelsen Institute, February 2011)
International Law and the Right to a Nationality in Sudan
(Bronwen Manby, Open Society Foundations, February 2011)
Sudan Nationality Law 1994 (amended 2005)
English Arabic
The Nationality Act, Laws of the New Sudan
(2003)
The Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan
(2005)
The Interim National Constitution of the Republic of Sudan
(2005)
Southern Sudan Referendum Act
(2009)
Encourages the parties to reach an agreement on citizenship prior to the referendum
Terms for Sudan referendum agreed
(BBC News, 16 October 2009)
Southerners living outside South Sudan since 1956 will not vote in the referendum - Machar
(Sudan Tribune, 25 June 2010)
Sudan: Citizenship Issue Festers As South Prepares for Plebiscite
(AllAfrica, 9 August 2010)
South Sudan plans mass return ahead of referendum
(BBC News, 24 August 2010)
Sudan’s parliament faults plan to repatriate southerners ahead of referendum
(Sudan Tribune, 30 August 2010)
Will no longer be citizens of north if split occurs after vote:
S Sudanese risk citizenship in vote: Minister
(Al Arabiya News Channel, 25 September 2010)
NCP minister criticized over southern Sudanese in the North “will not enjoy citizenship” remarks
(Sudan Tribune, 26 September 2010)
NCP building-up for post –referendum ethnic cleansing!
(Sudan Tribune, 28 September 2010)
Sudanese president pledges to protect southerners living in the north
(Sudan Tribune, 4 October 2010)
This Doesn't Look Like Unity
(Slate, 12 October 2010)
Rumbek students demand immediate return of southerners to South Sudan
(Sudan Tribune, 18 October 2010)
A Southerner in North Sudan
(Sudan Tribune, 8 November 2010)
Rights groups call for investigation into violence in Western Sahara
(11 November 2010)
Pambazuka News 512: Crises of citizenship and identity: Sudan, DRC and Côte d’Ivoire
(January 2011)
Southern Sudan to grant citizenship to northerners after secession
(Al Sudani 15 Jan 2011)
Sudan: As Secession Nears, Citizenship Issues Still Unresolved
(IRIN, 15 March 2011)
Peace and Security Council should protect the right to a nationality in Sudan, press release
Peace and Security Council should protect the right to a nationality in Sudan, letter
(Citizenship Rights in Africa Initiative, 28 January 2011)
Le Conseil de Paix et de Sécurité devrait protéger le droit à une nationalité au Soudan, communique
Le Conseil de Paix et de Sécurité devrait protéger le droit à une nationalité au Soudan, lettre
(Citizenship Rights in Africa Initiative, 28 January 2011)
Statement by Refugees International on the Government of Southern Sudan's Mass Repatriation Plans
(Refugees International, 27 August 2010)
Citizenship, Identity, Making Sense of Sudan: Who are the Sudanese?
(Alex de Waal, 14 December 2009)
Sudan: Protecting Minorities
(World Bridge Blog, 7 October 2010)
Sudan: Dr. Medani Calls for New Political Agreement
(Sudan Votes, 23 February 2011)
Sudan: Jonglai Governor to Give Eyat Northern Staff Southern Citizenship, Land after Secession
(Sudan Vision Daily, 6 March 2011)